BMW R 1200 RT · model year

2012 BMW R 1200 RT

13 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012BMWR 1200 RT carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 R 1200 RT is engine with 2 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (2) and fuel system, gasoline (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2012 R 1200 RT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

13
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL1
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN1
STEERING1
SERVICE BRAKES1

Recalls (1)

21V06000008/02/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.

Recent Complaints

20250104SERVICE BRAKES

Front brakes- Front brake lever will not pull in (hard to pull) front brakes do not work, was unable to stop, rear brakes limited and was unable to stop through intersection.

20210720FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2012 BMW R-1200 RT. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20210607STEERING

The contact owns a 2012 BMW R1200 RT motorcycle. The contact stated that the handlebars loosened and were not secured. The motorcycle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the head bearing had failed and needed to be replaced. The cause of the steering head bearing failure was undetermined. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

20210511FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW R 1200 RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MAX BMW MOTORCYCLES LOCATED AT 493 DANBURY RD, NEW MILFORD, CT 06776 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, NO INFORMATION ON A DATE FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20201002FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING POORLY, HARDLY ANY POWER. I MOVED OVER 3 LANES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER & TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THE PLASTIC THROTTLE BODY CAMS HAD BROKEN. THIS BIKE HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT! IT PUT ME IN EXTREME DANGER.

Mileage: 20,000

20190925ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW R1200 RT. THE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO EURO CYCLE BMW LAS VEGAS (6175 W SAHARA AVE B, LAS VEGAS, NV 89146, (702) 454-6269) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FLANGE WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLANGE WAS ONCE SERVICED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO EURO CYCLE BMW LAS VEGAS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,961.

Mileage: 53,961

20190120FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL LEAK AT THE FUEL PUMP QUICK DISCONNECT. THE DISCONNECT IS LEAKING AS WELL AS THE FUEL PUMP NECK. IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON AND THE PUMP COMES ON, PUTTING PRESSURE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Mileage: 8,664

20170806POWER TRAIN

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE REAR WHEEL CROWN GEAR BEARING FAILED. OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR WHEEL SEAL BECAUSE OF THE BEARING FAILURE . OIL FROM THE FINAL DRIVE SATURATED THE REAR BRAKE RENDERING IT USELESS. INSPECTION OF THE WHEEL WHILE STATIONARY REVEALED THAT THE REAR WHEEL/FINAL DRIVE SEAL WAS LEAKING. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE FINAL DRIVE WAS REPAIRED/REBUILT BY BMW AUTHORIZED MECHANICS SHOP.

Mileage: 36,391

20130619ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R1200 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BECAME HARD TO READ WHEN THE SUN WOULD SHINE DIRECTLY ON THE COMPONENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO TOOK PICTURES OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND SENT THE IMAGES TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER FORWARDED THE PICTURES TO THEIR ENGINEERS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE INVESTIGATED IF MORE OWNERS FILED A COMPLAINT ON THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

Mileage: 7,500

20130515ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

2012 BMW R1200 RT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLES COMMUNICATION SYSTEM CONTROLLER TURN SIGNAL ENGAGEMENT VERY DIFFICULT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BMW RE-DESIGNED THE TURN SIGNALS, WHICH IS NOW A SINGLE SWITCH. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN ON. THE CONTROL PANEL HAD A GLARE, WHICH MADE THE PANEL DIFFICULT TO READ, DURING THE DAY. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR CONSISTENTLY READ BELOW 2-3 LBS.

20130515EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

2012 BMW R1200 RT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLES COMMUNICATION SYSTEM CONTROLLER TURN SIGNAL ENGAGEMENT VERY DIFFICULT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BMW RE-DESIGNED THE TURN SIGNALS, WHICH IS NOW A SINGLE SWITCH. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN ON. THE CONTROL PANEL HAD A GLARE, WHICH MADE THE PANEL DIFFICULT TO READ, DURING THE DAY. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR CONSISTENTLY READ BELOW 2-3 LBS.

20130515TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

2012 BMW R1200 RT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLES COMMUNICATION SYSTEM CONTROLLER TURN SIGNAL ENGAGEMENT VERY DIFFICULT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BMW RE-DESIGNED THE TURN SIGNALS, WHICH IS NOW A SINGLE SWITCH. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN ON. THE CONTROL PANEL HAD A GLARE, WHICH MADE THE PANEL DIFFICULT TO READ, DURING THE DAY. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR CONSISTENTLY READ BELOW 2-3 LBS.

20120709ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER STOPPED AND IN FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED AS OFTEN AS ONCE A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

Compare 2012BMWR 1200 RT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 BMW R 1200 RT have?
The 2012 BMW R 1200 RT has 13 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 BMW R 1200 RT?
Yes, the 2012 BMW R 1200 RT has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW R 1200 RT?
The most-complained component for the 2012 BMW R 1200 RT is ENGINE with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2012 BMW R 1200 RT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.